Ep 2. Thermopylae

In the second episode of the first season of Decisive Battles, the focus is on the legendary battle of Thermopylae. This battle is often remembered for the heroic stand of the 300 Spartans against the mighty Persian army under King Xerxes.

The episode takes the viewers back to 480 BC when the Persian Empire was at its peak and Xerxes, the once hesitant leader, was determined to conquer Greece. Xerxes marched his army, which was reportedly more than a million soldiers strong, towards Greece from Asia Minor. The Persian army also included cavalry and war elephants and they were confident of their victory.

The Greeks, on the other hand, knew they were no match for the Persian army in open battles. They decided to block the narrow pass at Thermopylae, famously known as the 'Gates of Hell' and delay the Persian advance. The Greeks chose this particular location for a strategic advantage as the narrow pass forced the large Persian army to squeeze through a narrow path and prevented them from utilizing their superior numbers.

The Greek lead- Leonidas, king of Sparta, chose three hundred of his finest warriors, and along with other Greek soldiers, they waited for the Persian army to arrive. At this point, the episode dives deep into the tactical and strategic decisions made by Leonidas and his men. They fortified their position by building a wall of slain Persian soldiers as a symbol of strength to frighten the Persian army. They knew they had to hold the Narrow pass for three days until the main Greek army could assemble.

Soon after, King Xerxes arrived, and the battle began. Despite the superior number of the Persian army, the Greeks were able to hold their ground and inflict significant damage to the Persian defense. The narrow passage prevented Xerxes from using his overwhelming numbers to his advantage, and his armies had to fight hand to hand combat in cramped spaces, negating the Persian advantage.

The Persian army's cavalry, which was counted upon to give a decisive blow, was also rendered ineffective due to the narrow passage. They could not utilize their greater speed and mobility as the Greek army had confined them to the narrow passage. As time passed, the Greeks inflicted a considerable amount of damage to the Persian army, and their defense remained unbroken. But after three days of fighting, a local, named Ephialtes betrayed the Greeks and informed the Persian army of an alternate passage that could circumvent the Greek defense line.

The Greeks' position was suddenly exposed, and their fate was sealed. Leonidas and his men knew they had no chance of winning, and Leonidas made the decision to send most of his soldiers home while he and a select few stayed behind to hold off the Persian army. The final moments of the battle were intense and dramatic, with Leonidas fighting valiantly until his death.

The episode concludes covering the aftermath of the Battle of Thermopylae, including the significance of the battle and how it shaped the future of Greece, and thus the Western world. It was a battle that was fought against overwhelming odds and highlighted what courage and determination can accomplish, even in the face of insurmountable challenges.

Overall, the episode does an excellent job of covering the crucial aspects of the Battle of Thermopylae. It takes the viewer through the tactical and strategic decisions made by the Greeks and highlights the importance of the battle in shaping the course of history. The use of animation and graphics effectively enhances the story, making it more engaging and exciting to watch. It is an informative and entertaining episode that delivers what it promises.